Abstract

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Hada-Alsham, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. To study the effects of the four NPK fertigation rates (50%, 75%, 100% and 125% of recommended; 220, 150, 150kg N, P₂O₅, K₂O /ha, respectively) and three starter fertilizers (SF); SF₀ (control), SF₂: 7-14-7 and SF₃: 7-28-7 kg N- P₂O₅, K₂O /ha, on the growth, yield, and minerals contents of cucumber plants, cv. Alrased 92 F₁. The results indicated that application of NPK fertigation up rate 125% of recommended, achieved significant increases in the plant height and number of leaves at (30, 50 and 70 DAS), number of branches at 30 DAS only, as well as leaf minerals (N, P and K) contents, fruit setting percentage, fruit weight, number of fruits and fruits yield. Cucumber plants receiving starter fertilizers achieved an increase in the plant height, number of leaves and branches, especially at early growth stages (30 and 50 DAS). Likewise, SF₂ (7-28-7 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha) recorded significant maximum increment in the all tested fruit yield characters. Moreover, soil application of SF₂ was accompanied by significantly reduction in fruit setting percentage. The interaction effect between NPK fertigation rate and starter fertilizer showed that NPK fertigation rate of 125% + SF had the highest mean values of plant height at all growth stages and number of leaf and branches at 30 DAS. Application of SF₁ or SF₂ combined with 125% of recommended NPK resulted in the highest significant mean values for the fruit setting % and number fruits per plant, fruit yield and leaf's P and K contents.

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